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AUTHORS:LITTLER_WILLIAMen-caFri, 9 Dec 2016 20:43:43 ESTFri, 9 Dec 2016 20:43:43 ESTCopyright Toronto Star 1996-2013 , http://www.thestar.com/termshttp://www.thestar.com60TORONTO STARhttps://www.thestar.com/etc/designs/thestar/images/general/thestar_250x40.pnghttps://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.authors_littler_william.rss
Director Robert Lepage casts opera in a new lighthttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/12/09/director-robert-lepage-casts-opera-in-a-new-light.html
afd92da1-55fd-4fb4-99f3-31a38e905b76Fri, 9 Dec 2016 00:01:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/12/09/director-robert-lepage-casts-opera-in-a-new-light/love-from-afar-2.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Visionary Quebec director Robert Lepage says technology finally supports his imagination in his production of L’Amour de loin.
William Littler - Music ColumnistTamara Mumford as the Pilgrim and Eric Owens as Jaufré Rudel in Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho's L'Amour de Loin.KEN HOWARDMETROPOLITAN OPERAFor composer Philip Glass, minimalism is the answerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/12/02/for-composer-philip-glass-minimalism-is-the-answer.html
7e894f4c-72e2-424b-b803-b698a249c012Fri, 2 Dec 2016 00:01:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/12/02/for-composer-philip-glass-minimalism-is-the-answer/philip-glass.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The composer’s primary source of fame rests with his work in the changing direction of music, but was it inevitable?
William Littler - Music ColumnistAmerican composer Philip Glass receives the Glenn Gould Prize at a gala concert in his honour on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the National Arts Centre. From left, Glass, Petula Clark and Dennis Russell Davies.KENNETH CHOUSir Simon Rattle to conduct orchestra at Roy Thomson Hallhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/11/12/sir-simon-rattle-to-conduct-orchestra-at-roy-thomson-hall.html
115449dd-1461-4f51-a322-3e448b856cd5Sat, 12 Nov 2016 00:01:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/11/12/sir-simon-rattle-to-conduct-orchestra-at-roy-thomson-hall/sir-simon-rattle.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The Berlin Philharmonic will perform here for the first time in 23 years.
William Littler - Music ColumnistSimon Rattle stands atop the world of classical music as chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic.STEPHAN RABOLDToronto Symphony Orchestra pianist ending on high notehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/11/04/toronto-symphony-orchestra-pianist-ending-on-high-note.html
200cde20-afc3-46bb-84d3-a1e64ecda1cfFri, 4 Nov 2016 00:01:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/11/04/toronto-symphony-orchestra-pianist-ending-on-high-note/patricia-krueger.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Longtime Toronto Symphony Orchestra member Patricia Krueger is gracefully heading toward retirement.
William Littler - Music ColumnistPianist and sometime percussionist Pat Krueger is retiring from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the end of January.Christopher WahlTSOHallelujah for Ivars Taurins and the singalong Messiah https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/10/22/hallelujah-for-ivars-taurins-and-the-singalong-messiah.html
b31c170d-1f3f-455e-9b03-9a669297bb99Sat, 22 Oct 2016 06:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/10/22/hallelujah-for-ivars-taurins-and-the-singalong-messiah/ivars-taurins.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>This season marks three and a half decades of history for the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir
William Littler - Music ColumnistTafelmusik conductor Ivars Taurins.TafelmusikHe puts his heart, soul and head into music: Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/10/08/he-puts-his-heart-soul-and-head-into-music-littler.html
5085674b-381c-4c1a-8116-6bc9eac0d258Sat, 8 Oct 2016 00:01:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/10/08/he-puts-his-heart-soul-and-head-into-music-littler/michael-colgrass.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>At 84, composer Michael Colgrass teaches others how to align their lives, and bodies, with their art.
William Littler - Music Columnist"The key to good theatre is non-verbal," says composer Michael Colgrass in his Toronto studio.Steve RussellToronto StarBarbara Hannigan and Aix-en-Provence Festival a match made in opera heaven: Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/09/24/barbara-hannigan-and-aix-en-provence-festival-a-match-made-in-opera-heaven-littler.html
679930fc-a6f4-49eb-97e8-0d614cceb3e5Sat, 24 Sep 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/09/24/barbara-hannigan-and-aix-en-provence-festival-a-match-made-in-opera-heaven-littler/pelleas.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>This year she made an impressive debut in one of the great 20th-century roles, Mélisande in Pelléas et Mélisande.
William Littler - Music ColumnistBarbara Hannigan as Melisande, Laurent Naouri as Golaud and Stephane Degout as Pelleas in Pelleas et Melisande at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.
Patrick BergerFestival d'Aix-en-ProvenceCanada's Rolston String Quartet takes top honours at Banff competitionhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/09/10/canadas-rolston-string-quartet-takes-top-honours-at-banff-competition.html
d72f247a-48bc-4a30-8b33-9fe947501effSat, 10 Sep 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/09/10/canadas-rolston-string-quartet-takes-top-honours-at-banff-competition/rolston-string-quartet.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>From an array of Asian, European and North American applicants, 10 string quartets were invited to compete in a week of concerts.
William Littler - Music Columnist The Rolston String Quartet, winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition.SYSTEMRita TaylorAt Glimmerglass Festival, what was old can sound new againhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/08/27/at-glimmerglass-festival-what-was-old-can-sound-new-again.html
986830ab-f1ac-4681-a65c-9f20063490d8Sat, 27 Aug 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/08/27/at-glimmerglass-festival-what-was-old-can-sound-new-again/the-crucible.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The season’s offerings include Robert Ward’s The Crucible and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.
William Littler - Music ColumnistAriana Wehr as Abigail Williams, Frederick Ballentine as Reverend Samuel Parris and Mary Beth Nelson as Betty Parris in the Glimmerglass Festival's production of Robert Ward's The Crucible. The show was this season's standout production, writes William Littler.Karli CadelGlimmerglass FestivaOttawa’s Chamberfest goes truly international: Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/08/13/ottawas-chamberfest-goes-truly-international-littler.html
6cc26cd3-3029-419d-96f1-40f574b31edcSat, 13 Aug 2016 06:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/08/13/ottawas-chamberfest-goes-truly-international-littler/leonardo-and-miriam.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival likes to call itself the largest festival of its kind.
William Littler - Music ColumnistThis summer there was even an afternoon tango workshop by dancers Miriam Larici and Leo Barrionuevo, who appeared later as part of Te Amo, ArgentinaMichael GauthierStratford’s other festival brought music back to theatre townhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/07/23/stratfords-other-festival-brought-music-back-to-theatre-town.html
ea727dbc-f381-455e-8ec4-4a8cb8316495Sat, 23 Jul 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/07/23/stratfords-other-festival-brought-music-back-to-theatre-town/john-miller-in-stratford.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Stratford Summer Music is still thriving after 16 years, but founder John Miller dreams of a permanent home.
William Littler - Music ColumnistFounder John Miller says support from such government agencies as the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and artists such as Jan Lisiecki has helped Stratford Summer Music grow.IRENE MILLERCincinnati Symphony has lessons for the TSOhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/07/16/cincinnati-symphony-has-lessons-for-the-tso.html
20c771a3-5a1b-4831-956b-2e8069496dc4Sat, 16 Jul 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/07/16/cincinnati-symphony-has-lessons-for-the-tso/kristin-and-pops.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Cincinnati Symphony’s Pops Orchestra helps organization broaden its appeal.
William Littler - Music ColumnistKristin Chenoweth performs with the Cincinnati Pops.
CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRAWho says opera can’t tell a credible story? Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/07/02/who-says-opera-cant-tell-a-credible-story-littler.html
8837bf17-6106-4c2a-b1f4-15d9e4903508Sat, 2 Jul 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/07/02/who-says-opera-cant-tell-a-credible-story-littler/cincinnati-opera-fellow-travelers.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Works like Cincinnati Opera's Fellow Travelers point way to wordsmiths sharing equal billing with notesmiths
William Littler - Music ColumnistAaron Blake as Timothy Laughlin and Joseph Lattanzi as Hawkins Fuller in a scene from Cincinnati Opera's Fellow Travelers.Philip GroshongCharm and humour enliven Spoleto Festival: Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/06/18/charm-and-humour-enliven-spoleto-festival-littler.html
e89e8381-8f9a-4081-a930-6474382b81e2Sat, 18 Jun 2016 05:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/06/18/charm-and-humour-enliven-spoleto-festival-littler/geoff-nuttall.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>St. Lawrence String Quartet violinist Geoff Nuttall joins in the fun as festival's director of chamber music.
William Littler - Music ColumnistToronto violinist Geoff Nuttall, director of chamber music for Spoleto Festival USA, during the Bank of America Chamber Music portion of the 2016 festival.
WILLIAM STRUHSSPOLETO FESTIVAL USAOpera’s movers and shakers keep it from museums: Littlerhttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/06/04/operas-movers-and-shakers-keep-it-from-museums-littler.html
31504f9c-da7b-4b4e-812d-c0f81bde5d9dSat, 4 Jun 2016 00:01:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/06/04/operas-movers-and-shakers-keep-it-from-museums-littler/les-feluettes.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>High and rising ticket prices and production costs pushes opera companies to think outside the box.
William Littler - Music ColumnistMichel Marc Bouchard's play-turned-opera portrays the tragic love of two Catholic college students in love.Yves RenaudTafelmusik's Tales of Two Cities project transports audiences to Leipzig, Damascushttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/05/21/tafelmusiks-tales-of-two-cities-project-transports-audiences-to-leipzig-damascus.html
cc64e6b5-9b53-4134-86ed-a5770fd99468Sat, 21 May 2016 06:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/05/21/tafelmusiks-tales-of-two-cities-project-transports-audiences-to-leipzig-damascus/alison-mackay.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Alison Mackay incorporates visual and narrative components to illuminate coffee-house culture in two of the major trading centres of the 18th century.
William Littler - Music ColumnistAlison Mackay, Tafelmusik double bass player, has created a new multimedia project called Tale of Two Cities: the Leipzig-Damascus Coffee House.Steve RussellToronto StarPuerto Rican native makes Spanish music on Toronto stagehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/04/23/puerto-rican-native-makes-spanish-music-on-toronto-stage.html
dd5a0f8b-0d33-4d69-9616-31f44cc2a1baSat, 23 Apr 2016 09:00:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/04/23/puerto-rican-native-makes-spanish-music-on-toronto-stage/miriam-and-guillermo.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Guillermo Silva-Marin both singer and director in Toronto Operetta Theatre production of Los Gavilanes.
William Littler - Music ColumnistMiriam Khalil and Guillermo Silva-Marin, rehearse the Spanish operetta Los Gavilanes (The Sparrow Hawks) at Edward Jackman Centre in Toronto.Nick Kozak for the Toronto StarHow a small-city opera pulled off the ultimate Verdi cyclehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/04/09/how-a-small-city-opera-pulled-off-the-ultimate-verdi-cycle.html
a04728ec-69fb-4878-b427-a60875ff7f6eSat, 9 Apr 2016 00:01:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/04/09/how-a-small-city-opera-pulled-off-the-ultimate-verdi-cycle/the-battle-of-legnanophoto-by-rod-millington.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Sarasota Opera’s grand plan to perform all of the composer’s available music showed that his works need restoration, not renovation.
William Littler - Music ColumnistA scene from Sarasota Opera's production of La Battaglia di Legnano, an almost universally neglected work. During the company's 28-year project to stage all of Verdi's available music, audiences saw his operas much as they would have looked generations ago.
Rod MillingtonSarasota OperaHow Steven Dann found his calling with the viola’s “middle voice”https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/03/26/how-steven-dann-found-his-calling-with-the-violas-middle-voice.html
288479ea-a372-432b-b69c-5d90a841a5c5Sat, 26 Mar 2016 00:01:00 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/03/26/how-steven-dann-found-his-calling-with-the-violas-middle-voice/dannthology.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The TSO's former principal violist keeps busy with a wide range of projects. On April 7, he’ll appear with family members and other musicians at the University of Toronto’s Walter Hall for a performance they’re calling a “Dannthology.”
William Littler - Music ColumnistViolist Steven Dann, right, and members of his family including, from left, sons Lucas and Nico, daughter-in-law Ilana and daughter Robin, will perform what they're calling a "Dannthology" for a Women's Musical Club of Toronto concert on April 7.Claire HarvieDiscovering a new musical perspectivehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/02/27/discovering-a-new-musical-perspective.html
23b9736f-7792-4df3-a910-bd72e4414027Sat, 27 Feb 2016 00:01:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/music/2016/02/27/discovering-a-new-musical-perspective/paul-frehner.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Stimulating the audience key as art forms fuse in Toronto Symphony Orchestra's New Creations Festival.
William Littler - Music ColumnistPaul Frehner, composer, will be having a world premiere at the TSO's New Creations Festival.Dave ChidleyThe Toronto Star